Studies have been conducted for decades on the impact that restorative practices can have on student discipline systems in an educational context, along with the challenges of implementation (Dhaliwal et al, 2023; Marsh, 2017; Blood, 2005; Wearmouth et al, 2007; Drewery, 2016; Jones, 2021, Guckenburg et al, 2015). However, these studies have not…

Chronic absenteeism is a trending topic among educators, as federal and state accountability policies have emphasized the importance of students being in school. The problem addressed in this study is the high rates of chronic absenteeism in a particular urban Midwestern school district. The study explored administrators' perceptions of causes,…

In Barbados, there has been an increase in violence and disruptive behavior among students at urban secondary schools. The problem is that some Barbadian urban secondary principals struggle to implement the Schools' Positive Behavior Management Program (SPBMP), while other principals successfully reduce disruptive behaviors. This basic qualitative…

This qualitative descriptive case study, set in an urban middle school environment, utilized Epstein's Six Types of Involvement as its theoretical framework to explore the complex issue of chronic absenteeism among middle school students. The primary focus of the study was the exploration of parents' perspectives on this issue, particularly in…

Chronic absenteeism in public K-12 schools is a national crisis. More than 8 million students attending public schools are absent 15 or more days each school year. Research shows students attending school daily are better prepared academically and socially. In Maryland, a large urban school district has not met the state's 94% attendance…

Mentoring is widely recognized as an effective approach to addressing educational needs in U.S. schools, emphasizing the importance of strong, long-term mentor-mentee relationships (Karaferye, 2018; Wood & Mayo-Wilson, 2012). These relationships can provide crucial support for youth facing social, emotional, and financial challenges (Kuperminc…

Several factors determine a school's success. The school-within-a-school model has gained popularity as an intervention that supports schools. This study focuses on teachers' perceptions of this model, which can offer valuable insights into the school's overall health. By understanding the perspectives of staff, school leaders can gain a better…

Educators across the U.S. struggle to provide an equitable education to their diverse students. Since the 2020 COVID pandemic and the national call to end racism after George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis, chronic absenteeism and students' substantial mental health challenges have disrupted their efforts. Schools have struggled more than ever to…

For social and emotional learning (SEL) initiatives to have the greatest positive impact on students, they must be implemented schoolwide. There is an urgent need for schools to shift away from traditional SEL frameworks toward transformative SEL (TSEL). TSEL program implementation cannot be done in isolation; rather, it must be fueled by a shared…

Due to the impacts of overrepresentation of historically marginalized middle school student suspensions on the prison pipeline, there is urgency in addressing disproportionality in suspensions in school districts nationwide. Although Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) models have shown an…

In four years of high school education some students do not achieve the appropriate number of credits to receive a diploma. To support over-age, under-credited students, each high school has to intervene. Schools need to find ways to help students receive the credits needed, allow students to go beyond four years to graduate, or drop out of high…

The purpose of the Dissertation in Practice was to explore the experiences and perceptions of a group of middle school teachers and administrators that were implementing a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. The setting for this case study was an urban, Title I middle school located in Florida. Interviews were conducted…

Failure to implement Tier 1 behavioral intervention strategies in the classroom leads to inappropriate special education and disciplinary referrals for Black students resulting in a loss of instructional opportunities. This project took place in an urban K-8 school with a culturally and linguistically diverse student population. In consultation…

This action research study explored the use of mentorship as an intervention to improve the attendance chronically absent ninth grade students at an urban high school. Chronic absenteeism is a phenomenon with multiple compounding negative impacts on students. Moreover, it is a complicated problem with multiple contributing factors and potential…

School policies and interventions are implemented with the hope of increasing achievement, but that alone has not been found to support all students in accessing their potential (Savitz-Romer & Bouffard, 2013). The disparities that exist within the education systems provide unfair advantage to some students over others and this is seen across…